'American Idol 8' - Grand Ole Opry week for the Top 11

'American Idol' photo It's country week, and the big question is, what did Adam Lambert sing and did he pull it off?

It's Country Week, cleverly disguised as Grand Ole Opry week. But you're not fooled, are you! Randy Travis is this week's guest mentor and before each performance, he'll give us his thoughts on each of the Top 11.

Here's how the performances went down.

Michael Sarver - "Ain't Goin' Down Till the Sun Comes Up"

I always think of Josh Gracin when I hear this song. Michael seems very comfortable, and while he may have missed some of the lyrics, this song is so fast, it's hard to tell. It's decent, actually. I think Michael could be our "country boy" this year. Embrace the genre Michael. It's been very, very good to Idols in the past.

Randy likes the song choice but doesn't think it showed Michael's vocal abilities. Kara misses the big notes, but likes that Michael showed us his personality. Paula says this is the genre that best suits Michael. Simon calls it karaoke and says he couldn't understand a word Michael was singing. "If we were all perfect we wouldn't need this show." says Michael. Heh!

Allison Iraheta - "Blame It on Your Heart"

Allison is dressed the part, in jeans, a leather jacket, and biggish hair. I am not familiar with the song, and to me, it sounds kinda like "Achy Breaky Heart." Thing is, Allison can sing and the song becomes less country and more rocky. That's fine with me! Another solid performance from Allison.

Kara says she thinks Allison could sing the alphabet and that she made the song her own. Paula says, "Another rock solid performance from Allison." She thinks Allison will go really far if she starts experimenting with her vocals. She calls Allison an amazing artist.

Simon thinks it was good, although a little tuneless in parts. He thinks she struggled with the words, but Allison says she's known this song since she was 8-years old. Simon says it was a bit precocious, but no one seems to think that's a bad thing. Randy says he thought it was "dope."

Kris Allen - "To Make You Feel My Love"

Kris has chosen to sing without his guitar, and I think that's a good thing. He's on a stool to start. I have to say, I like this a whole lot better than anything he's done so far. He has a nice voice, stays in pitch, and is singing this like he means it. He's cute too! Nice little falsetto at the end. All in all, he did a real good job.

Paula is pleasantly surprised and calls the performance honest, pure, and vulnerable. She thinks he had some pitchy moments at the end, but overall, it was a smart choice. Simon says he thought it was terrific. He liked the way Kris controlled the song and calls it a smart choice of song. Simon says it's the first time he's actually though Kris had a shot at doing well in the competition.

Randy says, "Wow, tender moments from my dog Kris." Kara says she didn't even know it was country listening to it and calls it "very Kris Allen." Kris says he is amazed by the good comments.

Lil Rounds - "Independence Day"

Lil is wearing a red dress with a very Jennifer Hudson Grammy-ish bodice. Her hair is shorter and styled a little like LaToya London's. And she's singing a song that pretty much defined Carrie Underwood's run on the show. I don't think this is a good choice for Lil. She tries to downplay her R&B vibe, but it feels very awkward in the beginning. The chorus is better, but she is a little pitchy. I give her credit for staying true to the song, though. I don't think the judges are going to like this much, however.

Randy says it was an interesting, ambitious song choice. He says it got better at the end but didn't feel comfortable. Hey, that's what I said. Lil tries to make excuses. Kara says they all know Lil's a great singer and in the second half we got the Lil we all fell in love with. She compliments Lil for doing what she felt and standing her ground.

Paula loves Lil's hair, makeup and clothing, but says the performance would have worked better if she hadn't sung two verses. Simon calls her "Little" and says "For me, it kind of came over as one of those girls who have to sing at a wedding and are forced to sing a song that is requested." He says there are a million, billion songs. Simon calls her "Little" again, and finishes up by saying, "That just wasn't you."

Lil says she understands what they are saying and promises that from now on when she picks her songs, "You'll always get Lil Rounds."

Adam Lambert - "Ring of Fire"

Randy Travis isn't quite sure what to make of Adam. The arrangement is very weird, very emo, dark and sort of Middle Eastern. Of course, the song is dark to begin with, but never quite sounded like this when Johnny Cash sang it. There are even sitars in it and of course Adam has the flames in the background. I don't like it at all.

Kara doesn't know what to make of this and calls it strange. But she kind of liked it. Paula says that Adam is true to he is as an artist and loved the Middle Eastern feel to it. She says Adam is raising his own bar every week.

Simon says, "What the hell was that?" He advises Adam not to go to Nashville and calls the performance "absolute, indulgent rubbish." Randy says it was like Nine Inch Nails doing a country song and says it was "current and hot." Randy Travis is still speechless. Adam isn't going anywhere, though.

Scott MacIntyre - "Wild Angels"

I can already see what kind of artist Scott will be post-Idol, sort of Josh Groban but at the piano. His vocals aren't the best, but he really feels the music and puts everything he has into it. The beginning of the song starts out a bit rough, but he powers it up in the chorus and it works. His piano work is outstanding and he gets a great audience response.

Paula says that to her this was an impressive and lovely performance. She feels that the piano may be a bit of a crutch and that it separates him from the audience. She wants to see him as a showmanl. He suggests moving it closer! Simon thinks this was a stupid comment and says Scott is very comfortable behind the piano. Paula insists he needs to make a connection. Simon says both performances were very similar and that he needs to pick better songs. Scott says he lost the "hat trick."

Randy says he's looking for hot, crazy unbelievable vocals. He reminds Scott that this is a singing competition. Kara wants Scott to up his game, but says he brings poise and class to the stage. Scott says he spends a lot of time arranging the songs. He says if America honors him by making him part of the Top 10, he will come out without the piano! He won't say when, though.

Alexis Grace - "Jolene"

Alexis starts out on the melody and seems to be sticking to the original. She is a little bit out of tune in spots, and I think she tries to fluff it up a little bit too much. It's just okay for me.

Randy isn't sure Alexis hit the notes very well and doesn't like that she bent it to be too bluesy. Kara says Alexis lost her edge a bit and says it was a little flat for her.

Paula says it was more effective than the others think because she took an artistic approach. She doesn't care as much about the pitch problems and enjoyed seeing Alexis' more vulnerable side. Simon says it was a little bit sound-alike and that the vocals were okay. He thinks the performance will be forgotten.

Danny Gokey - "Jesus, Take the Wheel"

Another Carrie Underwood redo. Bad choice. Plus Danny's wearing a strange, white jacket that looks like he's ready for a trip to the frozen tundra. Danny's flat as a pancake on the first verse and seems to be working very hard to remember the words. The chorus is better and he gets into his gospel mode. But it isn't very good overall. Rather disappointing, actually.

The crowd roars and Kara can't get a word in at first. She says when Danny hits his stride it's like none other. She also says the front part wasn't that good. Paula loves when artists build a story and thinks he was brilliant. She thinks Carrie Underwood would approve and buy the record.

Simon agrees with Paula, but isn't crazy about what Danny is wearing. Randy agrees with Kara on the verses, and says Danny needs to support them better.

Anoop Desai - "Always on my Mind"

This is one of my favorite Willie Nelson songs and the one Fantasia chose her year for country week. The song gives us an opportunity to really hear the tone of Anoop's voice, leaving it totally exposed. He has good control of his vocals and hits some real sweet notes. While this is 100 times better than last week, I just don't think it's good enough for this level of competition. He has the most beautiful eyes, though!

Paula says, "Anoop is back everybody." She says he has tender, honest, sweet vocals and he touched her heart. Simon says Anoop went from "Zero to hero." He says it was his favorite performance of the night, and he takes back what he says last week about Anoop not belonging in the Top 13. "Good to have you back, Anoop."

Randy says this is why they wanted him in the competition and thinks the arrangement was "dope." Kara says this was the best performance of the night for her.

Megan Joy - "Walkin' After Midnight"

This is the one Kellie Pickler sang so well her year. But I don't think people will remember Kellie after Megan's performance. She is wearing a rust-colored halter dress that is somewhat ruined by her huge tattoo. As for her vocals, she's gone Patsy Cline on us. She hits one particularly sour note in there and her pronunciation is weird. She also messes up on the lyrics. No, I think she may be in serious trouble here.

Randy says he thought is was kind of good and that it was a perfect choice. Kara says this was the perfect song and the perfect look. She congratulates her for performing sick. Megan was actually in the hospital and is coughing up a storm. Simon says she should have flu every week. He likes the way she looks, but thinks that whoever is styling her is taking away the quirkiness. Ryan brings her a tissue and tells us she has Influenza B. That's not good.

Matt Giraud - "So Small"

Another Carrie Underwood song? Matt's at the piano and he's rearranged the song to suit his vocals. The problem is, he's really, really pitchy, and nasally too. He could have really done this nicely, but it doesn't work for me at all.

Kara says, "There ain't nothing small about you," and calls him a true talent. Paula calls him authentic and that he has pierced through her heart. She thanks Carrie for letting them use her songs.

Simon says Matt outsang Danny this week and says Matt reminds him of Michael Buble. "A terrific performance." Randy says this was his favorite performance of the week. "You got it going on, baby." Did I hear the same performance they did?

Best and Worst

I don't think this was a great night for anyone. What's interesting is that my exposure to country music is basically through Idols who have recorded in this genre and from Country nights on the show! I guess that's why every song reminded me of a former Idol rather than the original artist.

As for the performances, I actually think Kris Allen was the best singer of the night although his performance was a bit boring compared to some of the others. Allison would be next and then Scott. Matt, Anoop, Lil, Alexis, and Danny are in the middle for me. That leaves my bottom three Adam, Michael, and Megan. I doubt we'll see Adam in the bottom three, however, and based on his body of work to date (I've been watching too much NCAA basketball), I'll say the third person in the bottom three will be Kris.

Who will go home? Michael Sarver.

Randy Travis and Carrie Underwood perform during the results show, which starts at 9 p.m. Wednesday.